With remote working enforced under coronavirus shutdown measures, MPs tuned into Prime Minister’s Questions online from their constituency homes. Faces of members taking their turns to speak loomed over the chamber on vast computer screens suspended from the galleries. It all felt like a scene from science fiction with disembodied, giant alien heads talking down to puny earthlings below.

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Black and yellow tape on the floor to help maintain two meters of social distance between the few MPs attending in person plus the “no entry” or tick signs to show them where to sit added to the eerie atmosphere around the sparsely-populated green benches.

Such strange circumstances led to a low-key debut for Sir Keir Starmer as the new Leader of the Opposition.

Up against Boris Johnson’s stand-in Dominic Raab, the Labour leader was courteous and forensic in raising concerns about the progress of coronavirus testing and reported shortages of protective equipment in the NHS.

His detailed and persistent questioning was a huge contrast to the rambling rants of his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn.

Mr Johnson, who watched the clash on television at his country residence Chequers, will want to make sure he is full back up to speed after his bout of illness with the virus before taking on his new dispatch box opponent.

A grumpy-looking Mr Corbyn slunk into the chamber towards the end of the exchanges, returning to the bench perch he favoured in his days as an outspoken Left-wing backbencher.

The lack of the usual booing and traditional meant most participating MPs were able to make themselves heard over their online links.

Tory backbencher Peter Bone was the only MP to be fully silenced when a microphone cut him off during a tirade against greedy bankers.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle told Mr Raab: "The honourable gentleman was cut off in his prime, I think if the First Secretary can get the best out of that we'll all benefit."

In keeping with advice from Commons authorities, most participating MPs kept personal clutter out of sight when broadcasting from their homes but a few were less cautious.

Lib Dem acting leader Sir Ed Davey and Labour backbencher Ruth Cadbury had some eye-catching modern art hanging in the background while the Scottish Nationalist Party’s Westminster chieftain appeared in front of three clocks and two signed footballs.

Overall the tone of the first “hybrid” Prime Minister’s Questions was sober and grown up. Perhaps this virtual democracy malarky might just catch on.